Our Nature Studies

For science this year we are studying ecosystems.  This goes with our geography theme.  To go along with our studies, we're trying to get out into nature and observe actual ecosystems.  We're finding most habitats we study, or at least something close, are not far from our home.  And we're really enjoying this time of just getting into nature and walking around. 

We also take some time to just sit. 

I may read them a story, poem, or science lesson about where we are, and they draw a picture of something they see. 

I have loved this part.  I admit art is not my strong point.  Not only do I have trouble drawing, but I have little desire.  I don't want to pass this on to my children, especially the ones that are showing signs of really loving art!  This is one way I can incorporate art into our week without having to come up with arts and crafts projects because to be honest, those rarely happen around here.
Even Jill enjoys getting her nature journal out and coloring.

Our first visit was a local park with streams and waterfalls...

We also visited the Upper Newport Bay to see Coastal Shrubs as an example of a Chaparral ecosystem...

We visited a local arboretum to see desert plants (I realize we have real deserts, large deserts, world famous deserts a mere car ride away but it was a busy week and we weren't driving 3 hours round-trip to see a cactus.  We're saving the environment by saving gas :)

And our go-to nature walks when we have nothing specific to see are at the Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach.  We LOVE this place!

We hike.  We find lizards.  We hop over the creek. 

We have a snack.  We remember life in Georgia :)

Next we're heading to a conifer forest...more pics and drawings to come :)